Boney Kapoor said Sridevi’s death has left a void in his life, but he’s glad his family evolved and matured in midst of the tragedy.

How Sridevi and Boney Kapoor met and fell in love is a compelling story. At a special event to mark Sridevi’s 55th birth anniversary, an emotional Boney Kapoor recounted the story and said while everything about the two of them is in public domain, there are certain things that will always remain in his heart. Sridevi died in February 24 due to accidental drowning in her hotel bathtub in Dubai.

“She (Sridevi) couldn’t complete her schooling, she couldn’t complete her college because she was so involved in her work, she deserves the recognition, respect and the tributes which are being paid to her all across the globe,” he said.

Talking about life after the actor’s death, “Today this vacuum, this void cannot be replaced but the good wishes and the goodwill that she has left behind is something that we can live with... She is with me, in my memories...with my children. I feel the loss of her every second of my life, not just me even my children do. This is something that we have to live with. Unfortunately, she was snatched away from us sooner than anybody expected,” he added. The producer was in New Delhi, along with his daughters Janhvi and Khushi, for a retrospective on the veteran actor organised by the Films Division, Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Producer Boney Kapoor and daughters Jhanvi and Khushi look on during an event to commemorate the birth anniversary of their mother Bollywood actor Sridevi, at Film Division, in New Delhi.
(PTI)

In the retrospective, Sridevi’s films such as Mom, Lamhe, English Vinglish, Chandni and Sadma will be shown. Boney said Sridevi may not be among her family and admirers today, but like a true artiste, the National Award-winning actor will continue to live throughout her legacy.

He praised the actor for her “remarkable journey” that was spread across different languages and spanned an almost 50 year-long career. “I admire her sincerity, dedication and the understanding with which she played every character. Her biggest USP was that she never tried to act but would disappear in a character,” he added.

Reminiscing his love story with Sridevi, Boney said it took him 10-12 years to win her heart. “I fell in love with her when I saw her for the first time on the screen. It was one-sided love since the beginning. I chased her in the sense that I went to Chennai to sign her but unfortunately she was not available at that time. I was in awe of her, her work. The aura that she had created around as an actor was something that I admired. Maybe, all these reasons contributed to me falling in head over heels for her,” he said.

“My love story with Sridevi is an open book. Whatever matters of the heart that can be shared is all in the public domain. What is most close (about her) will remain in the heart. That’s my support system for life,” he added.

Boney said his children, Arjun and Anshula from first wife Mona, too have been his strength through these tough times. “The way they have accepted Janhvi and Khushi... That has made me feel very relieved. My all four children are my strength,” he said.